Barrier envelope dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser of barrier envelopes is formed of a pair of selectively interlocking open-top box-like structures. When interlocked, the pair of structures forms an interior chamber that is configured to store and protect one or more barrier envelopes inside from external contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and/or fungi. The dispenser of barrier envelopes includes a through opening for the purpose of dispensing the one or more envelopes to a user, and a spring in its interior chamber for directing the one or more envelopes toward the through opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/036,229, filed on Jun. 8, 2020,the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a barrier envelope dispenser, and moreparticularly, to a dispenser of barrier envelopes having a spring-loadedmember that facilitates the ejection of the envelopes from the dispenserand a method for utilizing the same.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

A photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plate is an X-ray detector that iscommonly used in the field of dentistry for obtaining a two-dimensionaldigital X-ray image of a part of a patient's mouth. The PSP plate isinserted in a patient's mouth behind a tooth or other body part to beexamined, and an X-ray exposure is then made. The exposed PSP plate issubsequently inserted into a PSP reader which reads the PSP plate andgenerates a digital X-ray image of the body part of interest. The PSPreader can also be used to erase the exposed PSP plate after the readingoperation. Subsequently, the erased PSP plate can be reused to obtainanother X-ray image.

The process of exposing, reading and erasing a PSP plate can be repeatednumerous times during a workday in a dental office. Therefore, a singlePSP plate can be used over and over again on a plurality of differentpatients in order to capture a relatively large number of X-ray images.

In order to reduce the likelihood of intraoral transmission ofcontaminants between different patients or from a dental practitioner toa patient via a PSP plate, each PSP plate is inserted into a single-usebarrier envelope which is then sealed prior to insertion in a patient'smouth. After an X-ray exposure, the PSP plate is removed from theenvelope—the envelope is then discarded—and the plate is inserted into areader for reading and subsequently erasing the X-ray image. The erasedPSP plate can then be inserted in another barrier envelope for futureuse.

In dental offices, the barrier envelopes are generally stored in adrawer or in an open container. A dental practitioner can come intocontact with a plurality of envelopes at once when accessing theinterior of the drawer or container for withdrawing one envelope fromthe group. This practice is unsanitary because when the medicalpractitioner's hands are contaminated, the contamination could spread toa large number of envelopes, and subsequently, to a large number ofpatients.

Accordingly, a sanitary system for retrieving barrier envelopes isrequired.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser ofbarrier envelopes that reduces or minimizes the risk of spreadingcontaminants from a dental practitioner to his or her patients duringthe course of practicing dentistry. The purpose of the dispenser is tostore a plurality of barrier envelopes within the body of the dispenserin order to protect the envelopes from coming into contact withcontaminants such as bacteria, viruses and/or fungi that may betransmitted to the envelopes by the practitioner's hands, othercontaminated objects nearby, and/or ambient air. The dispenser may besterilized in order to maintain the envelopes in a sterile conditionwhen the envelopes are initially loaded in the dispenser.

The dispenser includes a through opening for the purpose of providingaccess to the interior of its body such that a practitioner can retrievethe envelopes from the dispenser. The dispenser also includes acompressed spring in its interior for the purpose of pressing theenvelopes against the opening in order to facilitate dispensal thereof.

Opposite ends of the spring are selectively connected to pusher platesthat are configured to press the envelopes against the through opening.The pusher plates are also configured to be selectively coupled to oneanother with the spring being compressed in between the pusher plates inorder to facilitate the process of loading the spring with the pushersinside of the dispenser.

The dispenser can be formed of two open-top box-like containers, or twohalves, that are shaped and sized to be inserted inside of one anotherin order to create a protective enclosed space between them. The barrierenvelopes are stored in the protective space.

The two halves can be slid against one another (e.g., toward oneanother) to form the protective enclosed spaced when the dispenser is inan unassembled state. The sliding motion can result in an interferencefit between the two halves. The interference fit can be overcome bygrasping the two halves by hand and pulling them away from one anotherby using a reasonable level of force to open the dispenser when needingto replenish the barrier envelopes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an upper part of a barrierenvelope dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the barrier envelopedispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational side view illustrating a first side of a casingcomponent that forms a top part of the barrier envelope dispenser ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational side view illustrating a second side of thecasing component of FIG. 3, opposite to the side illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating a top side of the casingcomponent of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view illustrating an interior region of thecasing component of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an elevational side view illustrating a third side of thecover of FIG. 3, extending between the first and second sidesillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an underside of a casingcomponent that forms a bottom part of the barrier envelope dispenser ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom part of the barrierenvelope dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an upper part of a barrierenvelope dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the barrierenvelope dispenser of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a magnified view illustrating pusher plates of an elasticmember included in the barrier envelope dispenser of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method of utilizing a barrierenvelope dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thepresent invention may, however, be embodied in different forms andshould not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forthherein. Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughoutthe specification. The sizes and/or proportions of the elementsillustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

When an element is referred to as being disposed on another element,intervening elements may be disposed therebetween. In addition,elements, components, parts, etc., not described in detail with respectto a certain figure or embodiment may be assumed to be similar to or thesame as corresponding elements, components, parts, etc., described inother parts of the specification. In addition, the dimensionsillustrated in the drawings are non-limiting.

With reference to FIGS. 1-9, and more particularly to FIG. 2, a barrierenvelope dispenser 100 of the present invention includes a first casingcomponent 120, a second casing component 140, and an elastic member 160disposed in an interior chamber of the barrier envelope dispenser 100.

The first casing component 120 and the second casing component 140,illustrated separately in FIG. 2, can be selectively coupled with oneanother in order to form the barrier envelope dispenser 100 asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9. When the first and second casingcomponents 120 and 140 are selectively coupled to one another asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9, the resulting barrier envelope dispenser100 may also be referred to as a casing. A plurality of barrierenvelopes 180 may be disposed in the interior of the barrier envelopedispenser 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the barrier envelope dispenser 100 includes acontiguous through opening 155 for dispensing the barrier envelopes 180.A user may retrieve the barrier envelopes 180, one-at-a-time orseveral-at-a-time, as needed, via the opening 155. As illustrated inFIG. 1, barrier envelope dispenser 100 encapsulates the barrierenvelopes 180 all-around, thereby greatly reducing a contact areabetween a user's hands and the barrier envelopes 180. The opening 155,which is needed for providing access to the interior of the barrierenvelope dispenser 100, exposes only a small surface area of a limitednumber of barrier envelopes 180. In more detail, as can be gleaned withreference to FIGS. 1-2, the opening 155 exposes only a narrow topsurface of an upper portion 182 of a limited number of barrier envelopes180, and exposes only a portion of a side surface of the upper portion182 of a single barrier envelope 180 at a time.

A user would retrieve the barrier envelopes 180 from the dispenser 100by manually contacting and pulling the envelopes 180 via the opening155. In other words, a user would use his/her fingers to retrieve theenvelopes 180 through the opening 155. Therefore, even when the user'shands are contaminated, the spreading of the contamination will belimited to the barrier envelope 180 being withdrawn because the user'sfingers are not likely to come into contact with the envelopes 180 thatare located behind the envelope 180 being retrieved, or, at most, haveonly a fleeting contact with the minute top surface of the upper portion182 of a limited number of barrier envelopes 180 located behind thebarrier envelope 180 being withdrawn.

This configuration greatly reduces the likelihood of spreading viruses,bacteria and/or fungi to a large number of envelopes 180 at once whenretrieving one barrier envelope 180 from the dispenser 100. In contrast,if the barrier envelopes 180 were stored loosely in a large drawer, auser's hand(s) would likely contaminate a large number of envelopes 180at once when accessing the drawer to retrieve one of the envelopes 180(when the user's hands are contaminated).

The barrier envelope dispenser 100 of the present invention is intendedto be utilized by a dentist. However, the barrier envelope dispenser 100may also be utilized by other medical professionals who need to utilizesterile disposable barrier envelopes and would appreciate the benefit ofeliminating or reducing the spread of contamination among the barrierenvelopes 180 when making contact with a pool of loose barrier envelopes180 for the purpose of retrieving a single envelope 180 from the pool.

The envelope dispenser 100 may be provided with a selective couplingmechanism for selectively attaching the dispenser 100 to or adjacent to,for example, a photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plate reader. A PSP platewould need to be protected by inserting the PSP plate inside of abarrier envelope 180 in a short period of time or immediately after thePSP plate is retrieved from a PSP plate reader (e.g., after being readand subsequently erased by the PSP reader). By selectively attaching thedispenser 100 to a PSP plate reader or adjacent/near the PSP platereader, a dental professional can quickly and efficiently retrieve abarrier envelope 180 from the dispenser 100, retrieve a clean and/orerased PSP plate from the PSP reader, insert the PSP plate inside of thebarrier envelope 180, and seal the barrier envelope 180.

The proximate vicinity between the PSP reader and the barrier envelopedispenser 100 would increase not only the working efficiency of a dentalprofessional by reducing travel time between the location of the PSPreader and the location of barrier envelope 100, but would also reducethe likelihood of contaminating a PSP plate during travel (after beingretrieved from the PSP reader and before being inserted in a barrierenvelope 180) since the PSP plate would be exposed to the dental officeenvironment only for a short period of time before being inserted in abarrier envelope 180.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a selective coupling mechanism 170 attached toa side of the barrier envelope dispenser 100. While it is exemplarilyillustrated that the selective coupling mechanism 170 is attached to aside of the second casing component 140 (i.e., a third sidewall 148 ofthe second casing component 140), the present invention is not limitedto this configuration. For example, the selective coupling mechanism 170may be attached to other sides of the casing component 140.Alternatively, or in addition, the selective coupling mechanism 170 maybe attached to any of the side surfaces (e.g., external side surfaces)of the first casing component 120. Further, more than one couplingmechanisms 170 may be attached to the exterior surfaces of any one ofthe first and/or second casing components 120 and 140 for the purpose ofselectively attaching the barrier envelope dispenser 100 to a surface ofa PSP reader or adjacent/near the PSP reader.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, the selective coupling mechanism 170 is acomponent of a hook and loop fastener. More specifically, the selectivecoupling mechanism 170 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 is exemplarily illustrated asbeing a strip of hooks which is configured to be selectively mated to amatching strip of loops (the matching strip of loops would be connectedto a PSP reader or adjacent/near the PSP reader). This way, thedispenser 100 and the PSP reader can be selectively coupled to oneanother by mating the strip of hooks with the strip of loops.

It is understood that when using a hook and loop fastener, either astrip of hooks or a matching strip of loops may be selectively connected(e.g., adhered) to the barrier envelope dispenser 100, with the otherstrip being connected to/near the PSP reader.

While a hook and loop fastener is exemplarily described above, theselective coupling mechanism 170 may also be one selected from among aplurality of different types of selective fasteners, for example, adouble-sided adhesive tape, adhesive (e.g., glue, whether permanent orwashable), epoxy, a magnet (when both the barrier envelope dispenser 100and a surface of the PSP reader or surface adjacent to or near the PSPreader are made of a ferromagnetic material), etc., or a combinationthereof.

The first casing component 120 may be alternatively referred to as abottom box. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the first casing component 120is configured to house the elastic member 160 and a plurality of barrierenvelopes 180, disposed adjacent to the elastic member 160, in aninterior area of the first casing component 120.

As can be gleaned with reference to FIGS. 1-2, the elastic member 160 isin a compressed state inside of the first casing component 120 in orderto press the barrier envelopes 180 against a first sidewall 122 of thefirst casing component 120. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the barrierenvelopes 180 can be retrieved by hand via an opening 138 of the firstcasing component 120. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening 138of the first casing component 120 and openings 152 and 154 of the secondcasing component 140 together form the opening 155 of the envelopedispenser 100.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the first casing component 120 includes afirst sidewall 122, a second sidewall 124, a third sidewall 126, afourth sidewall 128, a fifth sidewall 130, and an open top 132. Theelastic member 160 extends between the first and second sidewalls 122and 124 in the interior of the first casing component 120. The barrierenvelopes 180 are disposed between the elastic member 160 and the firstsidewall 122 in the interior of the first casing component 120.

The open top 132 (see FIG. 2) provides access to the interior of thefirst casing component 120 such that the elastic member 160 and thebarrier envelopes 162 can be inserted/loaded inside of the first casingcomponent 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first sidewall 122 is shorter than thesecond sidewall 124 in order to form the opening 138. In addition, withreference to FIG. 1-2, the first casing component 120 includes a spacerinsert 136 protruding from the first sidewall 122 in a direction towardthe second sidewall 124. The spacer insert 136 serves to reduce thecontact surface area between the envelope 180 that is exposed by theopening 155 and the first sidewall 122 in order to facilitate theprocess of dispensing (e.g., sliding) the exposed envelope 180 from theinterior of the barrier envelope dispenser 100. In an embodiment, thespacer insert 136 may extend (or protrude) by ⅛ of an inch toward thesecond sidewall 124.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the fifth sidewall 130 covers (e.g., closes)the bottom side of the first casing component 120 in order to preventexposure of the envelopes 180 from the underside of the first casingcomponent 120.

The first to fourth sidewalls 122-128 of the of the first casingcomponent 120 may also be described as forming a hollow body of thefirst casing component 120, with the fifth sidewall 130 forming a closedof the hollow body and the open top 132 forming an open end of thehollow body.

Referring to FIG. 1, the elastic member 160 includes a first pusher 162with keying ribs, a second pusher 164 with keying ribs, and a spring 166extending between the first and second pushers 162 and 164. The firstpusher 162 is configured to press against the second sidewall 124, andthe second pusher 164 is configured to press the barrier envelopes 180against the first sidewall 122.

The keying ribs of the first and second first pushers 162 and 164 aid inaligning and holding (e.g., attaching) the first and second firstpushers 162 and 164 at the ends of the spring 166. This, in turn,facilitates a process of inserting the entire elastic member 160 intothe interior chamber of the barrier envelope dispenser 100. The firstand second first pushers 162 and 164 may be formed of a metal, wood, anelastomer, or a combination thereof. The metal can be, for example,stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, etc. The elastomer can be, forexample, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, and/or other suitable hardplastics.

The second casing component 140 may be referred to as a top box.Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3-7, the second casing component 140 includes afirst sidewall 142, a second sidewall 144, a third sidewall 146, afourth sidewall 148, a fifth sidewall 150 and an open bottom 153.

The first to fourth sidewalls 142-148 of the of the second casingcomponent 140 may also be described as forming a hollow body of thesecond casing component 140, with the fifth sidewall 150 forming aclosed of the hollow body and the open bottom 153 forming an open end ofthe hollow body.

The open bottom 153 enables the second casing component 140 to beselectively coupled to the first casing component 120. The couplingprocess may include, for example, aligning the first and second casingcomponents 120 and 140 such that the open top 132 of the first casingcomponent 120 faces the open bottom 153 of the second casing component140, and inserting the first to fourth sidewalls 122-128 of the firstcasing component 120 in an interior of the second casing component 140(i.e., in an interior space formed between the first to fourth sidewalls142-148 of the second casing component 140).

The insertion process may include sliding the first to fourth sidewalls122-128 of the first casing component 120 in the interior of the secondcasing component 140. After insertion, as can be gleaned by referring toFIGS. 1-2, the first to fourth sidewalls 122-128 of the first casingcomponent 120 would overlap the first to fourth sidewalls 142-148 of thesecond casing component 140. In this configuration, the fifth sidewall130 of the first casing component 120 and the fifth sidewall 150 of thesecond casing component 140 would be spaced apart from one another bythe overlap between the first to fourth sidewalls 122-128 and first tofourth sidewalls 142-148, and together define opposite sides (or ends)of the barrier envelope dispenser 100. The interior surfaces of thefirst to fourth sidewalls 122-128 of the first casing component 120would define four other sides (or ends) of the envelope dispenser 100between the fifth sidewall 130 of the first casing component 120 and thefifth sidewall 150 of the second casing component 140.

Therefore, as can be gleaned by referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, in anassembled state, the first to fifth sidewalls 122-130 of the firstcasing component 120 and the first to fifth sidewalls 142-150 of thesecond casing component 140 form an interior chamber of the barrierenvelope dispenser 100.

The first and second casing components 120 and 140 can be sized andshaped such that the process of sliding the first to fourth sidewalls122-128 of the first casing component 120 into the interior of thesecond casing component 140 requires a reasonable level of force toexecute by hand. This force would be needed to overcome frictionalforces generated by the first to fourth sidewalls 122-128 of the firstcasing component 120 pressing outwardly against the first to fourthsidewalls 142-148 of the second casing component 140 at the overlaptherebetween.

Stated otherwise, the first and second casing components 120 and 140 canbe sized and shaped to create an interference fit with one another. Theinterference fit can be sufficiently strong to prevent the first casingcomponent 120 from sliding downwardly due to its own weight (e.g., byvirtue of gravity) when the dispenser 100 is lifted upwardly orotherwise held in a manner which results in the first casing component120 not being supported from underneath, but weak enough to allow a userto separate the first and second casing components 120 and 140 away fromone another by using only a reasonable level of force.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 6 and 7, the first sidewall 142 of thesecond casing component 140 is shorter than the second sidewall 144 inorder to form the opening 152 in the second casing component 140. Inaddition, the fifth sidewall 150 includes a notch forming the opening154 adjacent to the first sidewall 142, as illustrated in FIG. 1-2. Withreference to FIGS. 1-3, the openings 152 and 154 of the second casingcomponent 140 form a contiguous open space.

The dispenser 100 and the envelopes 180 may be sterile. In one approach,the dispenser 100 can be regarded as a single use product that could bediscarded and replaced by a new (and sterile) dispenser of barrierenvelopes in order for the dispenser to be in a sterile condition orvirtually in a sterile condition during use, (e.g., during the length oftime that the envelopes 180 therein are being dispensed). Alternatively,the dispenser 100 may be manufactured by using materials that allow forsubsequent sterilization in a dental office. In this case, the samedispenser 100 may be used repeatedly, subject to undergoing asterilization process prior to being re-loaded with envelopes 180.

Each of the first casing component 120 and the second casing component140 may be formed of a metal, an elastomeric material (e.g., plastic),wood, or a combination thereof. The metal may be, for example, aluminum,stainless steel, titanium, etc., or a combination thereof. The metal maybe provided in sheet form.

In an embodiment, the first casing component 120 and the second casingcomponent 140 are formed of sheet metal having a thickness of 0.06 inch.All of the edges of the first casing component 120 and the second casingcomponent 140 may by manufactured to be dull, or not sharp. This wouldprevent the user's gloves and/or hands from being inadvertently cut whenutilizing the dispenser 100. During the manufacturing process, forexample, any burrs formed at the edges of the first and second casingcomponents 120 and 140 would be removed, and/or sharp edges resultingfrom a shearing/cutting process of the sheet metal when forming thefirst and/or second casing components 120 and 140 would berounded/dulled.

In an embodiment, the second casing component 140, which covers thefirst casing component 120, is 5.3 inches long, 1.99 inches wide, and2.49 inches high. In this embodiment, the opening 152 is 1.87 incheslong and 0.49 inches wide. The opening 154 is 1.06 inches long and 0.3inches wide.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a barrier envelope dispenser 200 according to anexemplary embodiment. Aspects/components/parts of the barrier envelopedispenser 200 that are not described in detail below may be assumed tobe similar to or the same as corresponding aspects/components/partsdescribed elsewhere in this specification.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the barrier envelope dispenser 200includes a first casing component 220, a second casing component 240,and an elastic member 260 disposed in an interior chamber of the barrierenvelope dispenser 200 and configured to guide a plurality of barrierenvelopes 280 toward a through opening 255 of the dispenser 200.

Referring to FIG. 11, the elastic member 260 includes a first pusher262, a second pusher 264, and a spring 266 extending between andselectively connected to the first and second pushers 262 and 264.

The first and second pushers 262 and 264 are selectively connectable toone another, for example, by forming an interference fit with oneanother, while maintaining the spring 266 in a compressed state betweenthe first and second pushers 262 and 264.

When the first and second pushers 262 and 263 are selectively connectedto one another, the elastic member 260 can be inserted into an interiorchamber of the dispenser 200 with ease since it is being inserted as onesolid piece that is also relatively small in size. After the one-piecestructure is inserted in the interior chamber, the first and secondpushers 262 and 264 may then be separated from one another by pullingthem apart from one another by hand. The first and second pushers 262and 264 are configured such that only a reasonable amount of force isneeded to separate them from one another.

The spring 266 has been omitted from FIG. 12 for clarity purposes, butit is understood that the spring 266 is selectively connected to thefirst and second pushers 262 and 264 of FIG. 12, as illustrated in FIG.11. In other words, one end of the spring 266 is connected to the firstpusher 262 and the other end of the spring 266 is connected to thesecond pusher 264.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, and more particularly to FIG. 12, thefirst pusher 262 has a body 263 having a first side 265 facing thespring 266 and selectively connected to the spring 266, and a secondside 267 opposite to the first side 265. As illustrated in FIG. 12, thefirst side 265 of the body 263 includes a flat surface 268 having around perimeter, and a pair of connecting members 270 disposed atdiametrically opposite ends of the perimeter of the flat surface 268.

Referring to FIG. 12, each connecting member 270 includes a portion thatis raised over and covers a portion of the flat surface 268 for thepurpose of maintaining the spring 266 selectively connected to the firstpusher 262, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The connecting members 270 mayalso be referred to as hooks (or can otherwise be hook-like structures).Referring to FIG. 11, each end of the spring 266 may be flat (e.g., eachend features a loop that stays flat during use), and one of the two flatends of the spring 266 (e.g., a first end of the spring 266) may beinserted in the space between the flat surface 268 and the pair ofconnecting members 270 of the first pusher 262 in order to selectivelyconnect the first end of the spring 266 to the first pusher 262.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, and more particularly to FIG. 12, thesecond pusher 264 has a body 269 having a first side 271 facing thespring 266 and selectively connected to the spring 266, and a secondside 273 opposite to the first side 271. As illustrated in FIG. 12, thefirst side 271 of the body 269 includes a flat surface 276 having around perimeter, and a pair of connecting members 278 disposed atdiametrically opposite ends of the perimeter of the flat surface 276.

Referring to FIG. 12, each connecting member 278 includes a portion thatis raised over and covers a portion of the flat surface 276 for thepurpose of maintaining the spring 266 selectively connected to thesecond pusher 264, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The connecting members 278may also be referred to as hooks (or can otherwise be hook-likestructures). Referring to FIG. 11, a second end of the spring266—opposite to the first end of the spring 266 connected to the firstpusher 262—may be inserted in the space between the flat surface 276 andthe pair of connecting members 278 of the second pusher 264 in order toselectively connect the second end of the spring 266 to the secondpusher 264.

Referring to FIG. 12, an annular member 274 protrudes away from thefirst side 265 of the first pusher 262. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 12, a hollow annular member 275 protrudes away from the first side265 of the first pusher 262, defining an interior cavity 272 in theannular member 275. The annular members 274 and 275 are spaced apartfrom one another.

Referring to FIG. 12, an annular member 282 protrudes away from thefirst side 271 of the second pusher 264. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 12, a hollow annular member 277 protrudes away from the first side271 of the second pusher 264, defining an interior cavity 280 in theannular member 277. The annular members 277 and 282 are spaced apartfrom one another.

As can be gleaned by referring to FIG. 12, the cavity 280 of the hollowmember 277 of the second pusher 264 is configured to selectively receivethe annular member 274 of the first pusher 262 therein. In addition, thecavity 272 of the hollow member 275 of the first pusher 262 isconfigured to selectively receive the annular member 282 therein.Therefore, the first and second pushers 262 and 264 can be selectivelycoupled to one another—with the spring 266 compressed therebetween—byforcing the first and second pushers 262 and 264 toward one anotheruntil the cavity 280 receives the annular member 274 therein and thecavity 272 receives the annular member 282 therein.

The annular members 274, 275, 277 and 282 can be shaped and sized inorder to create an interference fit therebetween. The interference fitcan be strong enough to resist the pushing force of the compressedspring 266 such that the first and second pushers 262 and 264 do notspring away from one another as soon as the user stops applyingcompressive force to the spring 266. Therefore, the entire elasticmember 260 can be conveniently inserted in the interior chamber of thedispenser 200 in a small form factor by using only one hand, sparing theuser from the dexterity that is otherwise required to compress thespring 266 while simultaneously maintaining the spring 266 straight(e.g., keeping the spring 266 from bending or buckling while beingcompressed) during the process of inserting the elastic member 260 inthe interior chamber of the dispenser 260.

Alternatively, the interference fit between the annular members 274,275, 277 and 282 can be somewhat weaker, which would require the user toapply some compressive force to the first and second pushers 262 and 264to keep them from springing away from one another once selectivelycoupled to one another. However, even in this case the user can utilizeonly one hand to maintain the first and second pushers 262 and 264compressed against one another while (e.g., with two fingersrespectively pressing the first and second pushers 262 and 264 againstone another) while simultaneously inserting the elastic member 260inside of the interior chamber of the dispenser 200.

The annular members 274, 275, 277 and 282, when coupled to one another,prevent the first and second pushers 262 and 264 from rotating relativeto one another, thereby sparing the user from having to utilize twohands to ensure that the first and second pushers 262 and 264 do notmove relative to one another during the insertion process. This may alsoprevent or reduce the likelihood of the compressed spring 266unexpectedly buckling (or shooting out from between the first and secondpushers 262 and 264) during the insertion process.

While the members 274, 275, 277 and 282 are described as being annular,it is understood that members 274, 275, 277 and 282 may also havedifferent shapes, for example, matching cuboid shapes, or other kinds ofcross-sectional shapes along their respective lengths that permit themembers 274, 275, 277 and 282 to be selectively coupleable with oneanother.

In addition, while the first and second pushers 262 and 264 areillustrated as having two coupling members each, the first and secondpushers 262 and 264 can also have three or more coupling members each.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 it is illustrated that each one of the first andsecond pushers 262 and 264 includes a female coupling member and a malecoupling member (e.g., the members 274 and 282 are male and the members275 and 277 are female). However, the present invention is not limitedto this configuration. For example, the first pusher 262 can beconfigured to have female couplers only or male couplers only, with thesecond pusher 264 being configured to have matching male couplers onlyor female couplers only, depending on the configuration of the firstpusher 262.

FIG. 13 illustrates method steps for utilizing a barrier envelopedispenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Referring to FIG. 13, operation S1302 includes providing a dispenser ofbarrier envelopes such as the dispenser 100 or 200 described above.

Operation S1304 includes accessing an interior chamber of the dispenser.This operation can be accomplished by grasping both the first and secondcasing components 120 and 140, or 220 and 240, as the case may be, andpulling the first and second casing components 120/220 and 140/240 awayfrom one another in order to separate them from one another.

Operation S1306 may include inserting an elastic member 160 or 260inside the interior chamber when the elastic member 160 or 260 is notpresent in the chamber, and may also include inserting at least onebarrier envelope 180 or 280 within the interior chamber.

Operation S1306 may include applying force to the first and secondpushers 262 and 264 to direct the first and second pushers 262 and 264toward one another until the first and second pushers 262 and 264 becomeselectively coupled to one another with the spring 266 compressedtherebetween, as described above.

Operation S1306 may also include uncoupling the first and second pushers262 and 264 away from one another once that the elastic member 260 hasbeen inserted into the interior chamber in order for the elastic member260 to guide barrier envelopes toward the through opening of thedispenser.

When utilizing the elastic member 160, operation S1306 may includepressing the first and second pushers 162 and 164 toward one anotherwhile ensuring that the spring 166 does not buckle away from in betweenthem, and inserting the elastic member 160 inside of the interiorchamber.

Operation S1308 includes reassembling the dispenser 100 or 200 byselectively coupling the first and second casing components 120/220 and140/240 to one another as described above.

Operation S1310 includes selectively attaching the dispenser 100 or 200onto a PSP reader or adjacent to a PSP reader. Operation 1310 mayinclude selectively attaching a coupling member to an external side ofthe dispenser 100/200, as described above, and then selectivelyattaching the dispenser 100/200 to a surface of a PSP reader or adjacentto the PSP reader. Operation S1310 may be optional.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A barrier envelope dispenser configured for usein dentistry, the barrier envelope dispenser comprising: a casingdefining an exterior of the barrier envelope dispenser and an interiorchamber in the barrier envelope dispenser, the casing including anopening therethrough which connects the interior chamber with theexterior of the barrier envelope dispenser; and an elastic memberdisposed in the interior chamber and configured to guide one or morebarrier envelopes in the interior chamber toward the through openingsuch that the one or more barrier envelopes can be selectively retrievedfrom the interior chamber via the through opening, wherein the casingincludes: a first casing component and a second casing component,wherein the first casing component has a hollow body with a first closedend and a second open end opposite to the first closed end, wherein thesecond casing component has a hollow body with a first closed end and asecond open end opposite to the first closed end, and wherein, when thecasing is in an assembled state, the hollow bodies of the first andsecond casing components overlap one another, and the first closed endsof the first and second casing components, respectively, are arranged atopposite sides of the casing with at least a portion of the overlapbetween the hollow bodies of the first and second casing componentsextending therebetween, wherein the hollow body of the second casingcomponent includes a first side and a second side opposite to the firstside, the first and second sides of the second casing componentdelimiting opposite ends of the interior chamber, wherein the elasticmember includes: a first pusher; a second pusher; and a spring extendingbetween the first and second pushers and between the first and secondsides of the second casing component, the spring being configured to bein a compressed state such that the first pusher or the second pushercan direct the one or more barrier envelopes in the interior chambertoward the through opening such that the one or more barrier envelopescan be selectively retrieved from the interior chamber via the throughopening.
 2. The barrier envelope dispenser of claim 1, wherein thethrough opening extends through the hollow body of the first casingcomponent and through the hollow body of the second casing component. 3.The barrier envelope dispenser of claim 2, wherein the through openingfurther extends through a portion of the first closed end of the firstcasing component.
 4. The barrier envelope dispenser of claim 1, whereinthe first and second casing components are slidably engaged with oneanother.
 5. The barrier envelope dispenser of claim 1, wherein the firstcasing component and the second casing component form an interferencefit therebetween at the overlap between the respective hollow bodiesthereof.
 6. The barrier envelope dispenser of claim 1, furthercomprising an elongated spacer protruding from the first side of thesecond casing component and extending into the interior chamber.
 7. Thebarrier envelope dispenser of claim 6, wherein the elongated spacer isdisposed adjacent to the through opening at the first side of the secondcasing component.
 8. The barrier envelope dispenser of claim 1, whereinthe first pusher includes a first coupling member and a second couplingmember extending from a side of the first pusher that faces the spring,the second pusher includes a third coupling member and a fourth couplingmember extending from a side of the second pusher that faces the spring,wherein the first coupling member is configured to be selectivelycoupleable with the third coupling member and the second coupling memberis configured to be selectively coupleable with the fourth couplingmember such that the first and second pushers can be selectively coupledto one another with the spring in a compressed state therebetween. 9.The barrier envelope dispenser of claim 1, further comprising aconnecting member attached to the exterior of the casing, wherein theconnecting member is configured to selectively connect the casing to asupporting surface.
 10. A method for utilizing a dispenser of barrierenvelopes in dentistry, the method comprising: providing a dispenser ofbarrier envelopes; accessing an interior chamber of the dispenser; andinserting at least one barrier envelope within the interior chamber,wherein the dispenser includes: a casing defining an exterior of thedispenser and the interior chamber in the dispenser, the casingincluding an opening therethrough which connects the interior chamberwith the exterior of the dispenser; and an elastic member disposed inthe interior chamber and configured to guide the at least one barrierenvelope toward the through opening such that the at least one barrierenvelope can be selectively retrieved from the interior chamber via thethrough opening.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the casingincludes: a first casing component having a hollow body with a firstclosed end and a second open end opposite to the first closed end, and asecond casing component having a hollow body with a first closed end anda second open end opposite to the first closed end, wherein, when thecasing is in an assembled state, the hollow body of the first casingcomponent overlaps the hollow body of the second casing component, andthe first closed ends of the first and second casing components,respectively, are arranged at opposite ends of the casing with at leasta portion of the overlap between the hollow bodies of the first andsecond casing components extending therebetween.
 12. The method of claim11, further comprising the step of closing the interior chamber of thecasing, said step comprising: arranging the second open end of the firstcasing component to face the second open end of the second casingcomponent; and inserting the hollow body of the second casing componentinto the hollow body of the first casing component through the secondopen end of the first casing component such that the hollow bodies ofthe first and second casing components overlap one another.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising the step of retrieving the atleast one barrier envelope from the interior chamber of the dispenservia the opening which connects the interior chamber with the exterior ofthe dispenser.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein, when the dispenseris in an assembled state, the step of accessing the interior chamber ofthe casing includes separating the first and second casing componentsaway from one another until the bodies of the first and second casingcomponents no longer overlap one another.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the separation process includes sliding the first and secondcasing components away from one another.
 16. The method of claim 10,further comprising the step of attaching a connecting member to theexterior of the dispenser, the connecting member being configured toselectively connect the dispenser to a supporting surface.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising the step of selectivelyconnecting the dispenser to the supporting surface.
 18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the connecting member is selected from the groupconsisting of a hook and loop fastener, a double-sided adhesive tape,adhesive, epoxy, and a magnet.
 19. A barrier envelope dispenserconfigured for use in dentistry, the barrier envelope dispensercomprising: a casing defining an exterior of the barrier envelopedispenser and an interior chamber in the barrier envelope dispenser, thecasing including an opening therethrough which connects the interiorchamber with the exterior of the barrier envelope dispenser; and anelastic member disposed in the interior chamber and configured to guideone or more barrier envelopes in the interior chamber toward the throughopening such that the one or more barrier envelopes can be selectivelyretrieved from the interior chamber via the through opening, wherein thecasing includes: a first casing component and a second casing component,wherein the first casing component has a hollow body with a first closedend and a second open end opposite to the first closed end, wherein thesecond casing component has a hollow body with a first closed end and asecond open end opposite to the first closed end, and wherein, when thecasing is in an assembled state, the hollow bodies of the first andsecond casing components overlap one another, and the first closed endsof the first and second casing components, respectively, are arranged atopposite sides of the casing with at least a portion of the overlapbetween the hollow bodies of the first and second casing componentsextending therebetween, wherein the hollow body of the second casingcomponent includes a first side and a second side opposite to the firstside, the first and second sides of the second casing componentdelimiting opposite ends of the interior chamber, and wherein the secondcasing component includes an elongated spacer protruding from the firstside of the second casing component and extending into the interiorchamber.
 20. The barrier envelope dispenser of claim 19, wherein theelongated spacer is disposed adjacent to the through opening at thefirst side of the second casing component.